Occasional Gerd

Occasional heartburn comes quick, so relief should, too. Whether it's breaking down food, balancing acid or relieving pain our products have the power to protect, relieve and rebuild. Healing yourself naturally enables your gut to thrive. Occasional heartburn is often treatable with over-the-counter medication and/or lifestyle modification. Ask yourself these questions to see if your heartburn may be caused by a more serious.

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GERD: More Than Simple Acid Reflux

Many people can experience gastroesophageal reflux (also called acid reflux) every now and again, and while uncomfortable, it isn’t normally something to be worried about.
However, if the burning acid in the throat and heartburn last for a long time or happen on a regular basis, you may be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a chronic condition in which the acid from your stomach regularly comes up into the esophagus.
If you have persistent acid reflux that occurs more than twice a week, you may need to talk to your physician about GERD.
About 60 million Americans suffer from reflux at least once a month and approximately 15 million are thought to have symptoms of GERD daily, says Arun Sachdev, M.D., a board-certified gastroenterology physician at INTEGRIS.
This persistent acid reflux isn’t something to take lightly, either. Dangers of uncontrolled reflux include difficulty swallowing due to the narrowing of the esophagus and damage to the tissues in your throat. GERD can also change the lining of the esophagus, leading to a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which can lead to esophageal cancer, can worsen asthma symptoms and cause pneumonia and hoarseness.

Causes and symptoms of GERD

Occasional acid reflux is common and can be the result of eating certain foods, lying down too soon after eating or eating too much. Recurrent acid reflux caused by GERD has other causes and complications.
GERD can affect all ages, sometimes for unknown reasons. Whatever the cause, GERD can cause the esophagus to become weak at its bottom opening, allowing stomach contents and acid to come back up.
Common traits are present in those who suffer from GERD. People who are overweight, are pregnant or smoke have a higher risk for GERD. Taking certain medications such as calcium channel blockers (commonly used to treat hypertension), antihistamines, sedatives, asthma medications and antidepressants can also exacerbate GERD.
GERD can also be the result of a Hiatal hernia, a condition in which a tear in the diaphragm pushes the top of the stomach up into the chest.
“While a lot of GERD is thought to be environmental, some studies in identical twins have shown a genetic component likely exists,” Dr. Sachdev says.
The symptoms of GERD are obvious, and the main symptom is constant heartburn, which gets worse when you lie down or bend over, and also after eating food. Other possible symptoms include pain and difficulty when swallowing, bad breath, nausea or breathing problems.

Testing and treatment of GERD

Complications from GERD can be seen on X-rays when a hiatal hernia is present or measured with esophageal pH/manometry studies, but an upper endoscopy is the most common test used to evaluate for the presence of reflux, a hiatal hernia or the presence of Barrett’s esophagus, Dr. Sachdev says.
In terms of treatment, GERD can typically be managed with some lifestyle changes.
“Initially, I like to try lifestyle and dietary modifications including avoiding caffeine, carbonated beverages, spicy foods, alcohol, etc. When these are not enough, medications are often used,” Dr. Sachdev says. “These include over the counter and prescription medications that are meant to decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach.”
When medications become ineffective or if patients want to avoid long-term medications, surgical options are available.
Surgical options include a Nissen fundoplication where the surgeon wraps the top part of the stomach around the bottom part of the esophagus to create a valve to prevent acid from coming into the esophagus. Other less common surgical procedures include LINX, a magnet device that goes around the bottom of the esophagus.
“Many people can control their reflux symptoms by changing how late they eat at night before going to bed, sleeping at a 30-degree angle and avoiding foods that increase acid reflux,” Dr. Sachdev says. “If symptoms persist and require long-term medication, your primary care physician may want you to be evaluated by a gastroenterologist for further care.”
For more information about GERD and treatments, talk with your INTEGRIS physician today.

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Heartburn, also known as acid indigestion, is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or acid reflux. You may experience GERD when acid contents in your stomach back up into your esophagus. This occurs when a muscle at the end of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), fails to operate properly. The LES opens when swallowing to allow the passage of food to the stomach and then closes to prevent food juices from returning, or refluxing, back into the esophagus.

The cause of heartburn is unknown, but certain factors may contribute to the condition. They include:

• Specific foods such as garlic, spicy foods and fried foods
• Smoking
• Caffeine
• Pregnancy
• Being overweight
• Alcohol
• Certain medications, such as nitrates and some muscle relaxants

A condition known as hiatal hernia also may contribute to heartburn. A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach is above the diaphragm, the muscle wall that separates the stomach from the chest. The diaphragm helps the LES keep acid from coming up into the esophagus. When a hiatal hernia is present, it is easier for the acid to come up.

Occasional heartburn doesn't mean you have GERD. Ten percent of the population experiences heartburn and other symptoms of GERD at least once a week. But heartburn that occurs more than twice a week may be considered GERD, which can lead to more serious health problems such as inflammation of the esophagus or Barrett's esophagus and lung problems.

Our Approach to Heartburn

Medications and changes to diet and lifestyle can often relieve heartburn symptoms. If these options fail, however, a surgery called fundoplication can provide a cure. UCSF gastrointestinal surgeons usually perform this as a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure, inserting tiny instruments and a miniature camera through several small incisions.

UCSF surgeons helped pioneer laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery, and they perform many of these procedures each year. Compared with traditional open surgery, minimally invasive surgery has significant benefits for patients, including a faster recovery, lower risk of infection, and less pain and scarring.

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Occasional Gerd

UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.